Device for perforating music-strips.



PATENTED SEPT. 25, 1906.

E. E. BALL. l DEVICE EOE EEEEOEATING MUSIC ETEEEE.

APLICATION PLED JAN. 19, 1903.

6 SHEETS-SHEET l.

- @EEE No. 831,818 PATNTED SEPT. 25, l906.

v H. P. BALL.

DEVICE POR PERPORATING MUSIC STRIPS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 19. 1903.

6 SHEETS*SHEBT 2.

Nb. 831,818. 'PATPNTPD SEPT. 25,1906.

PL P. BALL. DPVPGE POR PBPPOPAPPNG AMUSIG STRIPS.

APPLICATION FILED .TAN.19, 1903.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Tias.

' WWNESS E: 99

No. SSLSTS.

. TATBNTED SEPT. 25, 190e. H. T. BALL. DEVTGB TGR PERFORMING MUST@STRIPS.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. 19, 1903.

e SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WITN ESSES:

' vNofsslms.' PATENTED SEPT. 25, 1906.

. H. P. BALL.

DEVICE POR PERI'OBATING MUSIC STRIPS. APPLIOATION FILED JANJQ. 190s.

s SHEETS-SHEET 5.

' Aivo/831,818. IPATENTE) SEPT. 25, 1906i H. P. BALL.

DEVICE FUR PERFORMING Music sTRPs.

APPJIGATQN FILED JAN. 19, 1903.

Fmg. Fia-:9,

ATTO NEY Hit-Nar rarer; y I

' l j sAMUEL msnm., or cnioiieo, iiiLiNois. Y

i rarnnfr rien BALL, QF NEW YGRK, N. Y., SSIGNOH CNE-HALF TO ',DlEVlCEFOR PERFGFIATlNG MUSICSTFHPS No. seileis.

citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, county andState of `Yew York,

have invented-a Device for Recording and Repeating Musical Compositions,of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to a device for recording a musical composition asa series of holes in a music-strip and subsequently employing .saidstrip forf'testing purposes or otnern/*ise and in the sameI instrumentto reproduce the note or notes' so recorded.

. f ment, such a's a piano -or organ,

chanical reproducing instrument, suoli a The-object of my inventiomhroadl y stated, consists'of a device adapted to be used in ,connectionwith a sound-producing instrupianolaor angelus, bymeans of which alperformer upon such sound-producing instru- .mentof no-exceptional'ability may cause to bie recorded upon a moving music-strip, as aseries of holes of thev required length, the

1 notes of a musical composition, number of i 2S notesplayed, &c., farbeyond the physical abi'lity'of the performer topioduce upon thesound-producing instrument for which the musical composition is written;iurther, in

the provision of means whereby notes of the same time value which aretov be repeated in the reproduction of the composition as a trill f willbe recorded in the music-strip as a series 1 @isl of holes of thesameleiigth definitely spaced and 'irrespective of the -length of thetiill without requiring the performer 'to strikeeach repeated note;further, in the provision of .means whereby holes indicative ol 'a triliYinayhav'e their length initially determined and varied at the will ofthe performer; further, in the provision of means whereby the. wholeofthe musical composition or any por tion or note of the musicalcomposition may be played or sounded for testingp'urposcs or otherwise;further, in the provision of means whereby the note-name of any holeformed .in the music-sheet will be visibly indicated;

further, in the provision ofl means whereby measures ofmusical lengthare both visibly and audiblyindicated.

A'Speaking more generally, my invention consists of a vdevice throughthe 'instrumentality of which a player of ordinary ability upon a pianoor organ4 may record a composition which can only be played by a greatSpeocaton of Letters Patent,

Application filed January 19,1QOS. SarialNo.139.607.

and a mey Patented Sept. 25, 1908.

artist or by the use of four hands--a device by which an unskilledperformer may su' cessively build a record of a musical composition-as,for instance, he may iirst introduce the theme-notes, then the bassnotes,

then the trills, changing, if required, the length of theindividualnotes of successive trilla, at times stopping the device, andrevers-y ing the movement oi the music-strip through thedevice to testthe notes recorded and, if desired, to rearrange theirposition or causethe machine to automatically introduce the trills without any act on thepart ofthe performer, with the vexception of the initial movement ormovements required to start the trill or trills.

The above statement will be sui'il'icien't to 'convey a general idea ofmy invention, andin the following specification I shall endeavor tospecifically sets' forth the particular features of invention which Iconsider neiiand novel.

The accoiin'ianying drawings will serve to illustrate my invention.

Figure 'l is-a front el rating device shown with a .music-strip pass-'ing over it, the music-strip being broken away at the right-hand side,so as to more clearly illustrate the relation of theinechan-` i'smsituated under the music-strip. This figure `also shows in diagram thecircuit connections to an electrical device 'for imparting movement tothe perforating-machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation oftheperforating-inaf vchine looking from the right of Fig. 1 and alsoshows in diagram the circuit connections to an electrical device for.imparting nievement to the perforating-mac'hine. Fig. 3 is a transversesection and plan ofthe machine, taken on the line a a of Fig. 2, Fig. 4jis a part section and plan taken on the line b li of. Fig. 2. Fig. 5 isa vertical section and elevation taken on the line c c ofFig. 3. Fig. 6is a vertical section and elevation on the line d d vof Fig. 5. Fig. 7is a vertical sectionand elevation on the line c e .of 3. Fig. 8 isaJfront view and vertical section on the lineff of Fig. 9, showing myimproved pcrforatiiig evation of my perfo'- l device mounted over thelkeyboard of an used for establishing circuit connections in themachine. Figs. 11, 12, 13, and 14 illustrate as elevations variouspositions of the cams, punches, and controlling-levers 'form- 5 ing partof the punching mechanism. of my improved device. y

ISimilar characters indicate like parts Referring first to `Figs. 8 and9, 5 indicates the inclosing frame of an instrument involvio ing themechanism of a piano, of a mechanical musical instrument, and of aperforating device, and which consists generally of a keyboard 6,connected, as is usual, through rods 7,.With the striking-hammers 8,adapted to 15 impinge, when moved, upon the strings J of the instrument.The keyboard 6 is also shown as connected through rods 10 to pneuvmatics11, as is iusual in mechanical musical 'instruments1 and, further,through rods 12 zo .and levers 13 to cords 14, which actuate the`mechanism of the perforating device 15. l The .perforating device 15 isshown as situated in. the. front of the instrument and connected withthe pneumatics 11 through the pipes 16.

I Wish it understood that I do not limit myself in any wise to theposition which the perforating device may bear relativetc the`instrument upon which the musical composition is played or re reduced,as it is notses- ,3o.sential that it shou d be placed in close con- Itmay be at av tact.\with the instrument. distance-and connected throughelectrical, mechanical, or neumatic apparatus, as de- Sired and founconvenient. 17 indicates 35 fcot-treadles for operating the bellows 1S,

45 may be secured in any suitable. location. Ar-

p ranged transversely of the side frames is the main driving-shaft 22.On one end of this shaft is a driving-pulley 23, over which passes thebelt 2() from the motor 19. The motor 5o 19 derives its current from thedynamo 24,

.and the speed of the motor may be regulated ...through fthe rheostat25. Located on the vsame end of the shaft 22 is a gear-wheel 26 and onthe opposite end of the shaft a bevi 5 5 ele'digearI 27. .Arranged alsotransversely ol' the side plates 21 21*L is the shaft 28, which drivesthe punches, will be described. Un one end of. this shaft and inmeshwith the gear 26 is a small gear 2). 'lhe relation of V6o the gear 26 tothe gear 20 is such that the gear 29 will make four revolutions to oneol' the gear 26. I do not limit myself to the above. ratio, as anydifference in speed may ne employed which is found desirable.

65; Projecting fronr'theY side-'frame 21 :is a

bracket 30, (best shown in Fig. 2,) 4and ar ranged in bearings in thelower portion of' this bracket is a shaft 31, on the forward end ofwhich is a beveled gear 32, in mesh with the beveled gear 27 on shaft22; The shaft 31 is therefore 'driven at the same speed as shaft 22.Arranged upon the shaft 31 are the gears .it L h2 71.3 h4 h5 ofdecreasing diameter, collectively forming cone of gears.

Mounted in bearings-33 33 at about the center of the bracket is a squareshaft 34, on which is secured a channeled hub 35, carrying in suchchannel an annular gear-Wheel .35, free to turn and adapted to bebrought into mesh, through a longitudinal movement of the shaft 34, withany one of the cone of gears 7i. to 71.5 and also with any one of theconcentric rows of gear-teeth i i fig-i3 i4 i5 on the outer face of thedisk-wheel 37, located on the end of shaft 38 and external to the sideplate 21. To move the shaft 34 to bring the gear 35a into relation withthe gears z. i and correspondingr gears, as the case may be, Iprovide'the handle 36. T his handle is mounted upon a sleeve. 3Q onshaft 40, secured to the upper portion of the side plate 21 of themachine. Mounted also upon the sleeve/39 is an arm 41, connected to theshaft 34 through the pin 42, located in. the slot 43 of the arm 41.. Inorder to hohl the handle 36 in any position in which it may be placed, Iarrange upon the shaft a band-wheel 44, over which is arranged anadjustable band 45. Connected to the inner end of the sleeve 39 is asecond arm 46, which projects through an arc-shaped scale 47, -attachedto the side. plate 21, and which arm serves by its position on the scaleto indicate to the operator, seated in front of the machine, theposition of the gear 35"l relative to the gears i i, or, otherwise, thespeed at which the disk 37 and shaft 3S is or is to be driven.

It will be observed that as the shafts 22 and $51 have the same speedthe shaft 38 will be driven at a speed dependent upon the position ofthe gear 35 relative to the gears /i li--that is, assuming the parts tobe in the position shown in the drawings, the speed of the disk 37 willbe. maximum, and with the gear 35am mesh with thegcars 7i. the speed ofthe disk will lie-minimum. 'lhe purpose of this arrangement is, as willhereinafter be fully described, to provide means for determining thelength which shall be given to the perforation for any note or series of'notes where such notes are .to be frequently repulled--YA as, forexample., indicating a trill.

When the instrument is used to automatically record the successivemovements of a performer without giving definite length to an \l seriesof notes other than the length provided for by the general mechanism ofthe device, the parts under the control of the cone of gears on shaft 31and disk 37 may be considered to be out of action, as they exert IOO 'no" modifying esta,

y as will I I Before describin the action 'of such modifyi, piano' thenaine ofthe note perforated 1n the ingV mechanism will describe themechan- !-.music-strip -as, for instance, as indicated 1n sniformovingthe strip to-be perforated and the lower portion as E G, C E Gr,(l E, G C,

4the unching mechanism. G C, rogressively along the sheeofrom leftA eSJI'P' 48 t0 lpcriorated is wound i to rig t, or, in other words, thenotes vertiu onfthe cylinder 49', secured on shaft 50, l cally in linewith the representation of a key which is supported in' suitablebearings 51, on the indicating-scale give the name of such prjec'tingforwardly' from the side frames 21 key.4

i21a 'ofthe' machine. The bearings 51 are i Situated across the top ofthe machine andv lmade in two parts, so Yas to allow the shaft 50immediately below the indicatine-plate 68 is andl cylinder from whichthestrip is wound l, a perforated plate 69, within which are loto4berernved from the bearings, and such cated the punches 70. (BestshowninFigs. 2, parts aresecuredtogetherbymeans of thumbi 5, and 7.) The numberof punches will corscrews 52. On the ends of the shaft 50 are respond tothe number of keys ofthe musical the hand-wheels 53, by means of whichthe y55,I fastened on shaft' 56, which has its bearcylinder-59 on Vshaft60, mountedin elastically-supported bearings 61, Fig. 5, located inlfislcts 6 2 1n the side frames 2]. 21a.

^ under the bearings 61 are the helical springs rack-wheelsfr') areadapted to coect with re-l -with o rack-holes arranged along the outeredges. 'of the music-strip 48 to impart to the direction anupwardmovement, The manbe 'formed olf-paper or any other material :suitablefor the purpose. The music-strip 1s carried downward over the frontplate 54 of with and secured Ato the side frames 21 21u. xAThemusic-strip is then turned backward and downward over the surface ofa cylinder 58,

` able, and the object of mounting it in elastically-supp'orted bearingsis to compensate for the increased size of the roll, as the musicistripis wound uponit.

'beyond its right-hand hearing. .Y ...this shaft beyond the bearing is aratchet.- Wheel 64 and at its opposite ends rack-wheels 65. Connected tot S rplates 66, which follow the curvature-of cylinstrument employed,there being usually sixty-'five keys. Situated'in front of theperfoi-ated plate 69 and over the music-strip 48 is a perforateddie-plate 71, whose' perforations correspond in number and position withthe perforations inthe plate 69. Situated under the punch-plate is atracker-board paper'may'be rew'ound upon the cylinder 49 when 1t isdesired to move the music-str1 p upward 1n-the machine. i The'music-strip may 1 the machine and over the front of a cylinder areconnected through pipes 16 (seeFig. 9) with the pneumatics 11 of themechanical musical instrument, as shown in Fig. 9.

I wishit understood that I 'do not in any .wise limit myself to thecharacter of the tracker-board, its connections to the pneumatic orsounding device of the mechanical musical instrui'nent, or the characterof the mechanical musical instrument employed, as many variations may bemade. Forinstance, the tracker-board may have Aduplicate sets of ducts,one set communicating with the ordinary pneumatics of a mechanicalmusical instrument and the other set to aseries of pneumatics adapted toaccentuate notes. The purpose of the tracker-board and theA rnechanicalmusical instrument is to permit the operator to test any note perforatedin the music-strip 48. rlhis can be done as the musicstrip m ovesdownward over thc tracker-board, or through the instrumentality of thehandles 53 on the shaftl() the music-strip may be ings 57 in plates 57a,Fig, 4, arranged parallel having its bearings in the side frames 21,21%then brought forward and wound upon the Situated 63.' The cylinder`59 isadapted to be remov- .The Shaft 5e, awaits Observed, is extended Securedto e plates 57el zit-opposite ends of the cylinder are sen'ncircularmetal inder 55, but do not revolve with the cylinder. These plates serveto guide the musicstrip as'it passes over the cylinder 55 and betweenthecylinders 55 and 58. lBins on the formed and' which has passed'thetrackerboard.

Of course in' tlieordinary operation of the device there will exist nodifferentiation of air-pressure in the mechanical musical incesses inthe ends of the cylinder 5S and also strument, and the notes will notsound as ferentiation is cre-,ated by the act 'of the performer inmoving the pedals 17 of the mechanical musical instrument.

The movement of the cylinder 55 andthel movement of the music-strip overthe rackwheels ina detynward direction aree'liectcd music-strip when thecylinder 59 is rotated in one direction a downward movement and when thecylinder A4911s rotated in the other nerin which these rack-holes aremade will be' hereinafter described.

vSituated at the front of the machine 'and over the music-strip is anindicating-pl ate 68,

Whichin the present case is shown as marked toindicate the keys of apiano 'or other similar instrument. This-plate has for its pur-' leveris loosely pivotcd upon shaft 56 at the' left of thera'fvliet-wheel 64.Mounted on the right-hand side of this lever is a paWl 76, w ich engageswith the teeth of the ratchetwheel 64. Pivotally connected to the "rearbe explained. 1 pose to yisibly/indicate to 'the operator of the throughthe action of a lever 74, Fig. 5. This 72, the pe'rforations in thesurface of 'which IOO moved backward to test any note previously theypass the tracker-board unless such difsis - sions there is mounted uponthe shaft 56 a l respond with the divisions on above bandshown ascarried through an indicatorl SS,

`The band is also provided with a series lot' end of the lever 74 is arod 77. The upper l end of this rod is formed as a stra-p 78 and is jcarried overL an eccentric 79 on shaft 28. It l will be understood thatwhen the shaft 28 is l rotated the lever 74 will be reciprocated and lthe pawl 76, taking in the teeth ofthe ratchetf wheel 64, will impartto' such ratchet-wheel i 64 and cylinder 55 a movement in the direcjtion indicated by the arrow, Fig 5, thereby j moving the music-strip 4SprogressivelyI downward. In designing these parts they are soproportioned that the music-strip will l be moved downward one-twentiethof an l inch for each complete reciprocation of the shaft 28. g

In order to control the downward movement of the music-strip undercertain cong tingencies, to be hereinafter described. I cony nect to therear end of the pawl 76 the core 80 of a solenoid 81, It will beunderstood Q that when a current is sent through the so'- F lenoid 81the pawl 76 will be disengaged from the ratchet-wheel 64 and thedownward movement ot' the music-strip will cease.

In orderto visibly and audibly indicate the movement of the music-strip,as well as the position of the note-holes in the musicstrip, and also asan indication of the measures of time, I provide, first, avisible-indicating device., which is constructed as follows: Pivotallymounted in the side frame 21 of the machine at S2, Fig. 2, is a bent armS3, having a handle S4 at its outer end. Pivotally supported in this armis a band-wheel S5, and over this band-Wheel is arranged a perforatedmetal band S6. The lower end of the band S6 is carried over asprocket-wheel S7, l secured on shaft 56. The band-wheel is (see Fig.1,) arranged on the front of the machine at the right and in line with.the tracker-board 69. The band 86 is shown as divided on its surfaceinto a series ol divisions and subdivisions of its length, as shown j at89. Thesel divisions represent musical measures and divisions of musicalmeasures.

openings between each series of divisions, as illustrated at 90, andwhich openings or per-v forations are intended to coact with theprojections on therack-wheel 87. This band, it will be understood,visibly indicates measures of length and subdivisions of measures oflength of musical measures. The band is removable, so that bands can beused having measures of various lengths. Secondly, to audibly indicatesuch divisions and subdiviseries of ratchet-wheels 91. Five of suchwheels are shown. These Wheels are provided with a definite number ofteeth to coras, for instance, the rst wheel to the left four teeth, thenext six teeth, and so on. l These teeth are separately adapted to coactl with a pawl 92, Fig. 4, forming a part of a sleeve 93, whichtelescopes with and actuates another sleeve 94, having an arm 95, the

outer end of which is located under a bell 96,

Fig. 5, mounted on the right-hand side ofV plate 57a. Located betweenthe arm 95 and a pin 97, projecting from plate 57a, is a heli#cal'spring 9S, which makes upward traction upon the arm 95. Sleeves 93and 94 are mounted upon a rod 99, secured to plate 57 a,

and sleeve 93 can be adjusted to cause pawl 92 to engage any one of theratchet-wheels 91 by means of the nut 100 on the outer screwthreaded endof rod 99.

' It will now be understood that when the shaft 56 is rotated theratchet-wheels 91 will be rotated with it, and the pawl 92 as it isfsmoved by the sprocket-wheel over which it is located will oseillatesleeves 93 94 and cause the arm 95 to strike the bell 96 every time thata movement ot the arm takes place. The bell may thus be made to soundevery quarter-note, or four times per measure,

I every sixth, eighth, or other subdivision of a note orcorrespondiugtime per measure.

It will be understood that the divisions of the band 86 will correspondto the measure ol the musical composition lto be recorded upon themoving strip, and consequently that dili'erent bands, sprockets, andratchetwheels will be required for different composition s. Theband-wheel S6, rack-wheels 87, and ratchet-wheels 91 are therefore maderemovable., so as to permit the substitution of the proper band,sprocket, and ratchet wheel. In order to make tension upon the band whenin use, a spring 101 is introduced between the arm S3 and a pin 102,projecting from the side frame 21.

Referring now to the `mechanism for actuating and controlling themovement of the punches, two sets oi' punches are employed-fi. e., thepunches 70, which perforate the musical notes, Fig. 7, and the puncheswhich perl'orate thtr rack-holes, Fig. 5. Of the last-mentioned punchesthere are but two, one situated at each end of the' series of punches.The punches 70 are under the control of the operator. The punches 70 areautomaticI in their action and punch holes through the sides of the mu-Isic-strip at a definite distance apart along the edges of themusic-strip lso long as the paper is moved.n They are, however, in asense unl der the control of the operator-that is, thev may be stoppedwhen the operator stops the movement of the moving music-sheet.

The mechanism for moving the rack-hole punches 70 is shown in Fig. 5 andis asv follows: Mounted on and secured to shaft 22 is a toothed wheel103. on such shaft is a cam-disk 104. Pivoted'on this cam-disk is ahook-latch 105, under the rear-endnwln'ph isA a spring 106, whichnormally tends to press the hook of the latch in Also loosely mounted lIOO IIO

l toothed Wheel 103.-

' and-socket joint-115.

has formed through it two openings 116 117.

verselyrarranoed rod 118, support for all of the shaped plates whichvshaft -22 is rotated in the direction of the action oi aneccentric 7 9:ator of lthe machine.

engagement with one of the teeth ci the Pivoted on a rod 107, arrangedltransv'ersely' of ythe side plates 21 21', is a hell-crank having two'arms 10S 109. The arm 100 ofthis hell-crank is coiinected hy alink 110with a shapedcam-plate 11'1.

cam-platel has a projection 112 situated'in a recess 113 in achannel-har 114,- arranged 'transversely of 'the machine. Thischannel-har is lperforated to receive the punches (70%). and each punchvisconnected to a shaped plate 111 through a hall- The shaped plate 111In the `opening 116 there is locateda trans- Which acts as a carry thepunches. ln the opening 117 there is located the-shaft 2 8, carrying theeccentri'cs 79. Arranged concentric with `'the' shaft 22 and adapted toreciprocate in.

guides 119 (four are shown) is a ring 120.

Pivotall-y connected' to this ring are lever arms 121, pivoted in' theright-hand side plate 21. i Four of such levers are shown arrangedveopiidistant around the ring. 120. Situated. between a pin 122,propectingin- Wardly from the ring, and one oi the guides 119 is ahelical spring 123', which normaily draws the pin 122- in contact withone snrv 4'face ,of the4 uidevand rotates the ring in the direction 1nicated hy the arrow. -rihe cam.w

disk 104 is provided with the two oppositely disposedz projections 124125. T ie operation of this' portion of my device islasifolloivs: The'shaft 22,- it will be remembered, makes one revolution to four oi" shaft2S.v When the arrow, the cam-disk 104 is rotated with it. in therotation i of lthe'y v cam-disk 104 counter clockwise the arm 108 of thehell-crank'is gradually raised until it passesthe projection 124 on lthecam-disk 104. As the arm 108 rises the up er end oi the arm 109 is movedtoV the rig t, thereby lifting the camshaped plate' 11,1,into theposition shown in Fig. 7, atvvhich time a 'punch '70EL under the ismoved through the musicstrip.. As the rotation of the camdisk 10.4continues the projection 124 of the cam-disk 104 passes from under thearm 108, therehyiallowing it to drop into l`the position shown in Fig.13, therehy moving the punch backward. In other vWords, a 'v'punch 70will make one completel reciprocution for each'completev rotation ofthecam-disl 104,

and, assuming t'hemusic-strip to he moving one-twentieth yof an inch foreach revolution oi- 't'hewsheft 28, lthe rack-holes will he locatedone-fifth of an inch apartv between centers.

\A sbefore stated, l,the movement of the parts toA form the rackeholesis automatic and not-ord'narily` under control oi theoper- Should,however, it he may,

desired to stop the punching mechanism at any moment Without stoppingthe movement of the paper, this canhe acchmplished through theinstrumentality of the magnet 126, which has its core connectedthroughrod 127 with the ring 120.4 When. the magnet 120 is excited, itmakes traction upon its core andA i rotates` the ring clockwise, theeffect oi" Which is to throw the four levers 121 into aplosition toengage With the rear end of the ook-latch 105, With the effect ofdisengaging the latch Jrom the toothed wheel 103, stop-` ping therota-tion oi' the cam-disk 104, and consequently the reci rocatingmovement of the punches 70a. l lieve shownl the circuit throu h magnetsand 126 in series. They current through the magnets 80 and 126 may hecontrolled through one of the keys of the instrument-as, `for instance,6a, Fig. 3- also-hymeans of a switch 12S under the control oi theoperator.. f cuit hy switch 128 and key 0 scribed later on.

'The movement of the punches 70 may `also he controlled hy means ofthehandle 120, Fig. 2, which is pivotally connected to the ring '120 andextends through the side plate of the machine, (See Fig. 7.) Bymovingthis handle ,to the left the ring 120 can he correspondingly moved andcan he held in owever, be in separate circuits. The

The detailfoi the cir- Will he deplace by swinging the handle a downinto .g

engagement with notch 120k.

Referring new to the mechanism for controlling tne punches whichertorate the music-strip to make holes iiidlcative of the IOO themusical notes, as previously stated in the preamble, the device mayhearranged to automatically reproduce the' notes as struck hy theperiorrneror to automaticallyproduce a successive series of notes oi thesame lengththat is, the machine can he so arranged that it Willrespondand record everynote as struck bv the operator or will when theoperator has struck a note repeat that note as often as desired Withoutany further act on his part until'the required number of.

holes have been made, and, further, will make such holes oi` the sizeand. len th desired by the operator, or, put Iin stil other Words, theAoperator ma ori inally determiiie the length of the ho' es toe'automatically repeated. A The general features of lconstruction oi themechanism employed `for punching the holes representing notes is'illustrated in Fig 7. The mechanism for controlling the mechanism ,isused is illustrated in Fig,

ln Fig. 7 the mechanism for' controlling ,two 1 proximate punches isshown. l will describe' however, as applied to hutaJr 'The mechanismwhich serves to reciprocate the punches 70 is substantially* the same asthat heretofore-described for the punches 70, and it will notlienecessary to 13g the mechanism, single punch.

Ilength of the holes when such 1' repeat it. I will therefore confinemyself to a description of the mechanism for controlling the movement ofthe` punches 70. ln.

the description of the mechanism for controlling the punches 70nl thebell-crank lever is described as having the two arms S 109. Thehell-cranks for the punches 70 have three arms 108 v109 130, and forcoacting with the hook-latch 105 to control the position of such :olatch there is used in lace of the levers 121- a airofvoppositelydisposed levers. These llevers are differently constructed.That at the left, Fig. 11, consists of an arm 131, pivoted upon rod'132,arranged ,transversely of I5 the machine, and a plate 133, also pivoteduponisaidrod. Mounted upon this plate is apawl134,the forward end ofwhich. is adapted to-be normally engaged with a shoulder 135'on the-rearof the arm 131. Situated zo back of the upper end lof the latch is aspring 136, which presses the point of the latch into engagement withthe arm 131. The arm 131 normally rests upon a transverse rod 137,arrangedacross the machine, and be- 2 5 tween this rod'and the arm 131is a spring 138, which normallydoes not make anyr tension upon the lever131, but which serves to bring the lever 131 to its normal positionafter it has been moved upward. The lever 3o disposedfon the oppositeside of the camdisk 104`consists ot'the arm 13S), pivoted on rod 140,arranged v'transversely of the machine. Pivoted also on rod'140 is aplate 141, from which projects a pin 142, which normally enga eswith ashoulder 143 on the rearofthe ever 139. The lever 130 is conw nected,Ithrough a spring 144, to an arm 145, projecting upward' from theshadedplate v 141, and this arm'is connected, through a 4o spring 146,*to arod 147, arranged transversely ofthe frame. The lever'139 is alsorovided with a shaped shoulder 148. The p ates 133 and 141'areconnected,througlilthe cords 14, lever 13, rod12, to one of the keysG'of the piano, as ilhistratedin Fig. 9; lN'h'en a key- 1s struck,traction is made upon the cord 14,A

the effect of which is to simultaneously draw down the plates 133 and'arm 141. and to elevate the' levers 131 139.

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 11, the movemento'f'the arm 131 upward'in passingover thcY tailof the latch' 105releases the latch and allows ityto drop.I into engagement with thetoothed wheel 103, which immediately starts the cam-disk 104 in rotationcounter-clockwise. At the same time that the arm 131 is raised the arm139 is raised from the position shown in Fig. ll'to the position shownin Fig. 7, in 6o which position the arm 139 will be in the path ofmovement of the tail of the latch 105 and vby exerting pressure uponthetail of the latch will release the latch when the cam-disk 104 hastraversed one hundred and eighty degrees. At such time theparts will bein thepossnsls and out of the paper through the action of shaft 2S andeccentric 79 so long as the finger of the operator holds the key down.Assurni on the other hand, that the operator has struc( it, in such casethe arm 139 will have fallen to its original position-i.. e., that shownin Fig.' 11, otherwise into a position where the end of the arm will notengage with the tail of the latch. The cam-disk therefore will continueits rotation through three hundred and sixty degrees-ft. e., until thetail of the latch 105 is brought in contact with the end of the arm 131and lifted by it from engagement with the toothed wheel 103. Bearing inmind now that the shaft 28 makes four revolutions to the shaft 22 oneand that the music-strip each revolution of the shaft 2S, it will beobkey a quick blow and not tohold it, that the perforations made 1n Vthemusic-strip un# diameter, will be one-fifth of an inchb'ctween centers,and, further, that in' th'e case where the operator strikes the key ablow and holds the key downthe punch will make one movement through themusicstrip for each revolution of the' shaft 2S, and hence the punchwill move through the music-strip four times in four-t`wenticths of aninch, with the result instead'ofa round hole an elongated hole will bemade in the music-strip. The length of the hole will of coursedependupon 4the length of time the operator dcpresses a key.

It will be selen from the above considerathe strip will depend upon thecontrolofthe latch 105 exercised by the arms 131 139. This control iseffected by the mechanism which l will now describe.

Situated in front of the pawl 134 on the plate 133 is a pivotedplate149, provided with a handle 150, by which it may be rotated from theexterior of the machine. A similar plate 1.51 is pivoted in bearings andlocated'back of the plate 141, and this is providedwith a handle 152, bymeans of the machine.

lt will be seen that by rotating the plate 149 out ofthe path ofmovement ofthe pawl 134-ie., in the position shown in dotted lines, Fig.7-the arm 131 in such case will not be released when'traction is madeupon the cord 14, but will remain out of the path of movement of thetail of the latch '105,l and as aconsequence the latch 105 willremain inengagement with the toothedwheel l 103 andthe cam-disk 104 will continuein rotation, the punch making one movement the key a quick blow andimmediately released moves forward one-twentieth of an inch forv dersuch conditions, assuming, further, that' t-he perforation 1s one-tenthof an inch ini tions that the length of the perforations inv which itmay be rotated from the exterior of' sition shown in Fig. 7, and theparts will continue in this position, the punch moving in served,assuming the operator to strike the IOO los

` Aooi 'the 'latch 155' on ,through the into the. position in L lines'in'Fig. 7 the cord'14 no y influence over' thev arni"139 and this arnithe' f cam-disk #will remain in itsupper l`position-i, e., in theposition to engage with the latch 105.

Consequently, assuming these two levers to beinfluenced byfthe plates1119 and 151, as stated, they willtake the arri) -131 the posil' tionshown in the dottedline andlthe arm '139 the position shown in the fulllines, Fig. 7

' with the result that the cani-disk will make one-half of a revolution,when the tail of the i 'latch 105 will engage with the arm 139Y and thepunch will fbe moved forward and hackward continuously through themoving Amusic-strip so long as. this condition prervails. L y

j As 1t is not desired tif for'm a continuous crforation through themusic-strip, but pcorations of different lengths, means is provided fordepressing the arm 139 at intervals of time, and in this me ans is foundthe automatic `means for regulating the lengtli of the slots, whichlwill iiowdcscrihe.

Mounted uponthe shaft 38 is a carnvdisk 153 and also atoothed wheel'154.This wheel is g provided with eight teeth. it inayhave any l the ring120, and thereby `nuinlerof teeth desired. @Fivoted upon the kearn-disk153 is a hook 155, under the tail of learn-disk 104.

-. whichisfa'sp'ring 156, which normally presses the end thehook intoengagement with the toothed wheel 1 54. The camedisk 153 correl "A65ltwillbe observed fromv cani-disk 104 inV that ,p llt will' that the`arm 13.0 of the bellvshape to the y the cani-disk 153., ln Fig. 11 thearm 1301is shown as lying over the` latch out of 'entoothcd'whool. Rem?inhcring now that the of the cani-disk 153 is dependentupon' thepositionof the gear 35 rclativejtof the gears 7i t', it will be seenthatby the rotation of the cani-disk'153 clockwise the arm 139 will loedepressed every time the projection 157 of the carriedisk 153 is broughtoverr the shoulder 148 on the arm 139 and that consequently the lengthof time the cani- 'y .disk 104 will reinainat rrstwith the tail of thelatch 105 inicontact with the arm 139 will depend upon tl'ie'rapidity ofmotion o't the cam-'disk 1L53`faiid that I iigth of time the cani-disk104 is :it rest the' lcngth'oi"perforation made in thiA papgr will drp Yy thyy n'unilnr of noiprocations of the punch y701s dipendriit upon thelr nd upon'the rapidity'oi the niu'sic-stripv for-each rotation of l104. It will further be obl 'served that' whenthI plate 151 is rotated jwith the plates.

given that a time interval is interposed b9- twoen the striking of a keyand the action of a punch and irrespective 1 of whethern the dicated inlthe dotted i punch-makes a single round holo or a number longer has anyoi coaic seing helas te rorrn a slot or a number of succcssive holes ofthe samel size; Iny order to control the action ot themachine as a wholeor, in other words, to stoptlie movement of the music-strip, as also theaction of the punches at anymornent, when the punches are in operation,l provide the electrical device which I will now describe.l Y

Arranged transversely of the machine on a bar 158 are a series oi plates159, the first and last of which are connected to a source -oelectricity. Mounted on the bar 158 are the' spring-plates 160, solocated as to bridge two of thc plates 159 when the projection 124 oftwo of the cani-disks 104 registers in position From the above 'it willbe seen that when all'oi the cam-plates 104 coincidein position all ofthe plates 159 will he in serias and a circuit established between thetcrniinals connected with the `source of electricity; Also included inthe saine circuit are the sole noids 120 and 81. Consequently when acurrent is sont through the circuit it will energize solinoid 126 toattract. its core 127 to rotate bring the arms 121 into position to stopthernovenient of the The solenoid 31 is also exi ci tod, which attractsits core and releases the pawl 76 and also rotatcs backward a lever 161,connected, through a chain," to arrn'j, which rotates sleeves 94 and 93,raising pawl fdo 92 on sleeve 93 away from ratchet-wheels 9 1, I thusreleasing cylindcr 55, thereby permit' tin-g the paper 48 to be movedupward, it desired. l It will be.`ohserv d that the circuit describedcannot be made until all ot the carndisks 104 have their contact#springs 160 lapping contact-plates 159. The obyect of this arrangementis to insure the circuit not being completed until all Vpunchingrnov'cj" ments have .been fully completed.

YFreni the above description' `it will he sten that whenever aprojection 124 of a cam-disk '104 is in its travel away fromspri'ng-plates` .160 thereis no circuit througlirnagnct 81:-

Consequently the pawl 76 continufs t rotate cylinder'55and feed thepaper 48. lf no keys 6 are pressed and in consequence no disk 104rotating, they all come' to a stand still with the projectionsspring-plates 160, .through magnet 81,frcieasing cylinder 55 andallowing the paper 4S to he movid, the inechaiiism which operatie therackdiole punches 70a boing stopped at the same vtinie by themovement-or'"ain4disk`153, which, as pir- I circuit passing .liroughmagnets 125. Y

viously stated, can belaltored in speed by tlii`A lpaper stops feeding.thedescription as l saryto provide some means lf the operator stopsplayinglkeys 0, ythe It is therefore necesfor feeding the 124 againstthe which closes the circuit ed to switch 163, which is held closed byrspring 164.

Switch 128 is to be used for breaking the circuit, and so causing thepaper to be fed without the necessity of pressing the key 6u.

In the foregoing description I have endeavored to describe the mechanismby which the individual movements of an operator upon a piano or similarinstrument will be automatically followed by the perforatingmachine andalso mechanism by reason of which a series of successive holes of anypreviously-defined length may be automaticall formed through a movingmusic-strip, eac

of said mechanisms embodying the feature of a time limit between the actof the operator and the resultant action of the machine. Variouscontrolling and indicating means have also been described. I wish itunderstood that I do not limit myself to the recise mechanismillustratedand describedpfor accomplishing the results specified, as it will beevident that many changes may be made in the part and the relation ofparts without in any wisc departing from the intent of my invention. v

Having thus described my invention, I claim` .1. A machine ol' the classdescribed coinprising a keyboard, a recording mechanism for the notesstruck on the keyboard, and automatic means for successivelyr repeatingthe reco-rd of one or more of the notes struck.

2. A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard, a recordingmechanism for the notes struck on the keyboard, means for initiallydetermining the time value ofthe record of the notes struck, andautomatic i means for successively repeating the record of such notes.

3. A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard, a recordingmechanism for the notes struck on the keyboard, means for initiallydetermining the length of the record indicative of one or more of thenotes struck, and means for auton'iatically multi- Jiying and spacingthe record of such notes.

4. A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard,` a recordingmechanism for the notes struck on the keyboard, means for initiallyiixing at the will of the performer the character' of the record whichshall be made and indicative of thc action of one or more of such keysand also the time that such key or keys are held by the performer, andmeans for automatically repeating .such record at intervals.

5. A machine of the class described comprising means for audibly andvisibly/findi- -cating measures of musical length, a trackerboard, and aguide arranged, in line with said length7 of the record t record.

7. A machine of the class described comprising a-keyboard, a recordingmechanism for the notes struck on the keyboard, means for initiallyadjusting themechanism to give the same time value to all records ofnotes struck, and meansl for visibly indicating the character of therecord to be produced.

8. Azmachineof the class described comprising a keyboard, a recordingmechanism for the notes of the musical composition, means for initiallyregulating the length of the record indicativeA of one or more of saidnotes, and meansfor visibly indicating the 5 be produced.

9. A machine of the class described comprising means for giving thepaper a forward movement, means for forming rack-holes in the paper,means for perforating the paper to indicate musical notes, and means forstopping the movement of the note-perforating mechanism, whereby themusic-strip may be moved forward without having note-perforations formedtherein.

10. A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard, means forautomatically repeating upon a moving strip the record of a note Iornotes struck on the keyboard, means for forming holes in said stripindicative of the notes struck and repeated, and means for controllingthe repeating' mechanism.

.11'. A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard, means forautomatically repeating upon a moving strip the record of a note ornotes struck on the keyboard, means for forming holes in said stripindicative of the notes struck and repeated, means for controlling themovements of sa'id strip, and means for controlling the repeatingmechanism.

12. 'A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard, means forautomatically repeating upon a moving strip the recordA of a note ornotes struck on the keyboard, means for forn'ling holes in such stripindicative of the 'notes struck and repeated, means for controlling thespeed of operation of the repea-ting mechanism.

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13. A machine of the class described comi prising a keyboard, a seriesof punches operating upon a moving music-strip, means introduced betweenthe keys and punches for controlling the initial movement of saidpunches, and automatic means for; controlling the subsequent movement ofsaid punch or punches to produce a spaced record indicative of-a trillor run.

14. A machine of the class described com# prising a keyboard, a seriesof punches operating upon a moving music-strip, means introducedvbetween the ke s and the punches for controlling the initialymovementof said punches, and mechanically-operated means punches, automaticmeans for controlling the time interval between successive operations ofa selected punch to' produce a record indi cative of'a trill or-run,'andmeans for stopping the movement of said punch without stopping themovement of the music-strip.

16. A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard, a series'ofpunches oper-A ating upon a moving music-strip, and means 1 .foradjusting the machine to automatically produce a given number ofindividual perforations per unit of length of the music-strip.

17 A machine ofthe class described comprisin means for striking thenotes to be recorde means for recording, means for sounding the notesrecorded, and means for initially regulating the length of the note onthe record.

18'. A mechanism' of the class described comprising means for strikinthe notes to be recorded, means for recor ing the notes,'

f meansfor sounding the notes recorded, and meansfor automatlcallyrecording successive notes of thesame' name and duration.

19. A machine of the class described com.-

prising a'keyboard, means for recording thel notes struck lon thekeyboard, means for initially regulating the length of the perforar'-tion indicative of a note made in the record, and means for indicatingmeasures of musical length in the travel of the-record.

20. A mechanism of the class described Ycomprising means for strikingthe notes to be recorded,' means for. recording the notes, means forinitially regulating the length of the note on the record, and means forvisibly indicating the name ofthe notes recorded.

21. A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard, means lo'rrecording the notes struck O n a moving strip, and regulatable means'foriixing the length of the perfoc rations indicative of certain notesrecorded.

, 22; A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard, means forrecording on a moving strip the notes struck on the keyboard, and anadjustable metronome adapted to indicate measures of musical length in ythe travel ofthe music-strip.

23. A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard, means forrecording on a moving strip the notes struck, means for initiallyregulating the length of the record of the notes struck, and means forvisibly indicatingthe length of the perforation which the machine isadjusted t o record.

24. A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard, means formoving a music-strip at a determinate speed, arecordingdevice for thenotes struck on the keyboard, and means for initially determining thelength of the record made indicative of the notes struck.

25. A machine of the class described comprising means for striking thenotes, means for recording the notes, -means for initially regulatingthe length of the note on the rec- -ord and automatic means forrecordingsaid note with such predetermined length. l

26. A machine of the class described comprising'means for striking thenotes, means for recording the notes, means for initially regulating thelength of the note on the record and changeable means for indicatingwhen to strike the notes, and automatic means for recording the noteswith the linitially-determined length.

27. A machine of the class describe-d com- I rising meansA for strikingthe notes, means or recording the notes, and means for pro-` ducingsimilar successive records with one movement of the key.

28. A machine of the class described comrising means for striking thenotes, means For recording the notes, means for initially regulating thelengthof the note on the rec'-4v ord and means for automaticallyproducing similar successive records with one movement of the key.

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` 29. A machine of the class described-com,- l

prising means for striking the notes, means or recording the notes,automatic means for recording the notes With initially-determinedlength, and means for automatically .producing similar successiverecords with one movement of `the key.

30. A machine of theV class described comprising means for strikingtheanotes, means for recording the notes, means :for initially- Vlosdetermining the length of the note on the record and means forautomatically producing similar successive records .with one movement ofthe key. l 3l. A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard,and means' for automat-- ically recording on a music-strip as a seriesof perforations, musical trills or runs.

32. A machine of the class described comprising means for striking thenotes, means for recording the notes, automatic means for recordingnotes with initiallydetermined length and means for producing similarsuccessive records with one movementof the operator.

33. A machine of the class described comprising means for strikingI thenotes, means for ecording the notes, and means tor automaticallyproducing similar successive records at definite intervals.

34. A machine of the class described comprising means; ha initiz'i'llyregulating the length oiLthe record which shall b( indicative of a note,means for striking such note and causing a record thereof, and means forautomatically reproducing such rezord at delinite intervals in t'hetravel ol a musi'f-shcet.

35. A machine of the class described e'n-f bodying automatic means forrepeating in the same sheet the record made by any selected note.

36. A machine oti the class described comprising means for strikingt-lie notes, means for recording the notes, means lor visibly indicatingmeasure of musical length, and means for adjusting the machine toperform a given number'ol: punching operations per such measure.

37. A machine oll the class described comprising means for striking thenotes, means for recording the notes, t-.liangeable means for indicatingthe length oi paper per measure, and means for producing a given numberof punch operations per said measure.

33. A machine oli the class described coinprising a keyboard, aperforating mechanism, and means-tor indicating the length of perfo-rrations the machine is adjusted to produce.

39. A machine ol' the class described comprising a keyboard, aperlorating mechanism, and means l'or automatically controlling thelength of slots made bv the perforating mechanism. i

40. A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard, aperforating mechanism, .means For autoimitically controlling the lengthof perforations made, and means t'or throwing said last-named means intoand out oi' action.

4l. A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard, means forrecording the notes struck, means For automatically recording as trillscertain notes not struck, and means ior sounding any ol' the notesrecorded after recording.

42. A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard, aperhirating mechanism, means for automatically controlling the lengthol`v periorations made thereby, and means for autouuitically perloratingsimilar holes equally spaced one from the other.

43%. A machine ol the class described comprising a keyboard, aperlorating mechanism, means for automatically controlling the iengthol' perforations made thereby, and means for advancing they paper agiven amount between successive .pcrtorations 44. A machine oi' theclass described comprising a keyboard, a pertiorating mechanism, meansfor automatically controlling the length of the pertorations madethereby, and

vmeans l'or advancing the paper a given amount per measure of musicallength.

4.5. A machine of the class described coniprising a keyboard' a seriesof perforating mechanisms and means,foncontrolling automatically thelength ot'perforations made.

'46. A machine of the class. described comprising keyboard, a series ofperlorating mechanisms,l a series of controllers for the mechanisms t'orautomatically governing the time they are in action and means forautomatically controlling the length ot' perfora-v tions madeby thepertiorating mechanisms.

47. A machine of the class described comprising a keylmard, a series ot'peri'oiating mechanisms, a series oll controllers t'or automati fallygoverning the time the perlorating mechanisms are in action, means foradjusting the speed ol' said controllers to various desired amounts lsothat the machine automatically controls the length ol" perlorationsiliade.

4S. A machine olE the class described embodying a recording deviceprovided with means for automatically and successively repeating therecord of any note recorded.

4S). A machine ol the class described'embodying a recording deviceprovided with means l'or initially determining the length of the recordindicative of a note and for automatically reproducing said record.

5t), A machine ot' the class described comprising a keyboard, a seriesof perlorating mechanisms, means for automatically. controlling the.length oi' perforations made, a metronome device audiblyindicatingperiods olE time corresponding to variable predeterminednumbers ol'A perforating operations.

431. A machine. olc the classI described comprising means tor strikingthe notcs to be rccorded, means for recording the notes, means lorsounding the notes recorded, and a metronome device lor audiblvindicating the subdivisions ol" musical time ot' the recorded notes.

A machine olthc class described comprising means for striking the notesto be relcorded, means for recording the notes, means tor sounding thenotes recorded, and a detachable metronome device which beatscorresponding to the time of the notes recorded.

:33. A machine of the class described comprising means lor striking thenotes to be recorded, means for rewarding the notes, and an indicatingdevice marked to re )resent the keys ot'A the pinao giving thereby tilename of the note,represented by the pt-rforations.

54. 'A machine of the class 'described embodying recording meansprovided with a fixed transversely-arranged scale lindicative of the`naine of the notes recorded, and a scale indicative of measures ofmusical length and traveling at a fixed relative speed to that of themusical strip but independent thereof.

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'ism to produce a given 55. machine oi the class described comprising aperforating mechanism, means for automatically controlling'the lengthsof perforationsfmade thereby, andmeans for indicating the lengths of,the perforations for which the machine is set.

56` `Amachine of the class described comprising aikeyboard, a pforating'mechanmeans for indicating the length of slot the machine isset to perforate.

57. A machine of the class described comprisin means for striking thenotes to be recorde ,gneans for recording the notes and means forautomatically controlling the length of the individual records of eachnote irrespective of the length of time they are sustained on thekey bythe performer.

58. A machine of the class described comprising means for striking thenotes to be recorde means for recording thenotes, means for] initiallydetermining the length of the note on the record and' means forautomatically adjusting the machine to produce records of said len th.

59. In a mac ine such as described a travngth of slot and eling sheet ofpaper, andan index subdivided into measures of musical length travellingwith the papenisatid index being changeable for deinite measures ofmusical length.

60. In a maehine such as described a travelingindex divided to visiblyindicate divisions of musical time, .and a metronome device similarlydivided to indicate said divisions, and means for changing said indexand said metronomebeing detachable from the machine so that they can bereplaced With others intended for different measures of musical time.

61. A machine of the class described comprising a keyboard, aperforating mechan- HENRY PRICE BALL. Witnesses y J. EPEARSON, FRANKOCONNOR.

